5 Best Firm Mattresses for Your Health and Comfort

By
Romeo Vitelli
Romeo Vitelli
Expert Writer
Received his doctorate in Psychology in 1987, spent fifteen years as a staff psychologist in Millbrook Correctional Centre. In 2003 went into full-time private practice. read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Medical Advisory Team
Medical Advisory Team
Includes well-known professionals, who together provide decades of sleep medicine experience that enables Talk About Sleep to fulfill its mission of creating access to high- read more
Last updated: September 15, 2023
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One of the biggest truths about mattresses is that there is no such thing as “one size fits all”. Different people have different requirements as regards the surface they sleep on. If you’re a heavy individual or a back sleeper, there’re chances that you’d likely prefer having the best firm mattress rather than a plush one. Firm mattresses are renowned for the incredible level of support they provide, so it’s not surprising that they are so popular among back sleepers, heavy individuals, and people with back pain.

Since firm models are not the most popular choice when it comes to mattresses, finding the best ones might be a bit difficult. In order to help you in your shopping, we’ve tested hundreds of firm mattresses on the market, and subsequently compiled a list of the five best ones. Some of the most important factors we considered in our compilation are profile thickness, materials used, sizes available, and warranty.

We have invested a lot of time and efforts in our research, as usual. As a result, we have been able to structure this article methodically. First of all, the comparison table we’ve included aims to provide readers with an idea of what they are to expect before going into the more profound part of the article. We have also reviewed all our selected products extensively, thereby allowing readers to know everything about each one. At the end there’s a handy buying guide which goes deeper into all of the essential features, contains FAQs, and our top three selection.

Quick Summary

  • Editor’s Choice: Helix Dawn
    "This high-quality mattress from Helix is a hybrid bed, combining pocketed coils and several foam layers for pressure relief"
  • Best for Heavy People: The WinkBed
    "This high 14.5-inch hybrid mattress comes in a Firmer (7.5) and Plus (8) firmness options to choose from"
  • Best Flippable Mattress: Layla Hybrid Mattress
    "This hybrid bed is flippable, with a firm and a soft side, and features copper-gel memory foam for cooling"
  • Best Memory Foam Mattress: Plank Mattress
    "Another flippable mattress, this all-foam bed by Brooklyn bedding is firm on one side and extra firm on the other"
  • Best Breathable Foam Mattress: Amerisleep AS1
    "This all-foam firm bed features an open-cell design and a Celliant cover that add to its cooling properties"

Top 5 Firm Mattresses Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5817 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.9
1
Editor’s Choice

Helix Dawn

Features
  • Profile thickness: 12″
  • Firmness: firm
  • Materials: pocketed coils, HD base polyfoam, HD polyfoam, Helix Dynamic Foam polyfoam
  • Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Warranty: 10-year limited

More features: polyester cover; Memory Plus Foam and Helix Dynamic Foam create pressure relief; 100-night trial

Back and stomach sleepers weighing over 130 pounds will find a lot of comfort in the Helix Dawn.

To start with, the soft polyester cover is both stretchy and breathable. It allows air circulation into the mattress and ensures there’s no moisture build-up. This material also regulates surface temperature, making it ideal for sleepers who sleep hot.

Helix Dynamic foam is used in the layers giving the sleeper increased comfort. Because it’s a high-density polyfoam, it mimics the responsive feel of latex.

Pocketed coils create a strong and supportive core. The different foam layers used allow the sleeper to “sink in” for a cradling feeling. This is great for taking pressure off of some key areas. Sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds should opt for a softer option to get maximum pressure relief.

A reinforced perimeter inside the coil core limits the sinkage that sometimes happens when a sleeper sleeps too close the edge. When it comes to ease of movement, this model provides tough pushback against the sleeper’s body. This makes it easier to get out of bed and move around.

The various layers of foam isolate and absorb motion very well. This means your partners moving around at night won’t disrupt your sleep.

A 10-year warranty period is standard with this model. There’s also a 100-night trial period. This will help sleepers test out the firmness and comfort levels.

    Why is it special?
  • Firmer option provides strong support
  • 10-year warranty
  • Temperature regulating cover
  • Good pressure relief
    What are the flaws?
  • Side sleepers might experience pressure build up
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6414 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.5
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.8
2
Best for Heavy People

The WinkBed

Features
  • Profile thickness: 14.5″
  • Firmness: Firmer (7.5), Plus (8)
  • Materials: pocketed coils, 8 PCF polyfoam, 1.5 PCF polyfoam, 1.5 PCF gel polyfoam, foam-encased pocketed microcoils, cotton lumbar pad
  • Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Warranty: lifetime limited

More features: Sleep Calm motion isolation technology; proprietary lumbar layer; Extra-Edge support; stretch-knit Tencel lyocell cover; 120-night trial

Winkbed’s hybrid mattress is made with just the right combination of foams and luxury pocket coils to give you a comfortable night’s rest. The multi-layer construction style on this model sets it apart from other mattress brands.

A pillow top adds softness to the mattress. A series of micro-pocketed coils give maximum edge support. The larger pocket coils add the support and firmness that makes the Winkbed so popular. The coil design allows the coil to firm up as it’s compressed. This gives your body weight all the support it needs and you won’t have that ‘sinking in” feeling. A proprietary lumbar layer offers maximum support for a sleeper’s spine.

A Tencel cover keeps the mattress temperature regulated and is ideal for sleepers who suffer from night sweats. As a stretch-knit material, there won’t be bunching of material. An added feature with Tencel is that it’s more breathable than cotton. Because it’s made from Eucalyptus, there’s no negative impact on the environment. According to Winkbed studies, this model sleeps 28% cooler than other foam mattresses.

This model also minimizes motion transfer, meaning sleepers won’t be disrupted by their partners’ movements at night. It also keeps its shape over time and contours perfectly to your body.

An added advantage of the Winkbed is that there is an option for sleepers weighing over 300 pounds. This is a feature that makes WinkBed very popular.

This model also offers a lifetime warranty which is more than other mattresses in the market. No wonder consumers rate this mattress so highly on the comfort level!

    Why are we impressed?
  • Suitable for heavy weighted sleepers
  • Lifetime warranty
  • 28% cooler than other mattresses
  • Good edge support
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • Lightweight side sleepers might feel uncomfortable
  • Expensive
Also Product Ranking:
See more...
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4233 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.5
3
Best Flippable Mattress

Layla Hybrid Mattress

Features
  • Profile thickness: 13″
  • Firmness: soft / firm
  • Materials: copper-gel memory foam, airflow support foam, Infinity Edge individually wrapped coils
  • Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Warranty: 10-year limited

More features: 120-night trial; flippable firmness; washable cover

This model is a flippable foam mattress offering two different firmness options. This makes it suitable for all sleeping positions and body types.

The mattress cover is made of a polyester poly lycra material. This makes it breathable, temperature regulated and above all, it’s washable. This means you can keep the surface of your mattress clean at all times. Vinyl handles attached to the cover assist with flipping the mattress.

The softer side of the mattress includes 2.5” of copper-infused memory foam which draws heat away from the sleeper’s body, making it cooler than traditional memory foam. Sleeping cooler helps control night sweats and makes for a more restful sleep. Pressure points conform to the shape of your body, giving you extra comfort. You also get better support on this side from the surface modification technology.

The firmer side offers less contouring and more support. Not only does the firmer side relieve pressure points but also gives the sleeper some ease of movement.

6” of pocketed coils provide a solid core foundation. Lower gauge coils inside the core provide better edge support while adding airflow through the mattress. The coils also add that bouncy feeling you’d expect from a high-end mattress.

This mattress is available in standard sizes from twin up to California King. This model also has a 10-year warranty period. The 120-night trial option is standard with all Layla mattresses. This offers the sleeper adequate time to experience the comfort and support offered by both sides. For a good night’s sleep, choose support and comfort!

    What stands out?
  • Suitable for all body types
  • Ample edge support
  • Washable cover
  • Flippable firmness
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Mattress is heavy. One person won’t be able to flip it
  • High price point
Also Product Ranking:
See more...
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7929 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.4
4
Best Memory Foam Mattress

Plank Mattress

Features
  • Profile thickness: 11.5″
  • Firmness: firm / extra firm
  • Materials: high-density base foam, TitanFlex foam, cooling panel (optional), quilted cover
  • Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split Cal King, Short Full, Short Queen, Olympic Queen, Short King, RV King (3 options)
  • Warranty: 10-year limited

More features: 120-night trial; flippable firmness

The Plank forms part of the Brooklyn bedding range and provides an exceptional level of firmness and comfort. A flippable surface gives you a neutral spine position that’s better for your posture.

Designed to lessen pressure on your circulatory system, this model offers better blood flow as well as increased lower back support.

The .75” quilted top layer ensures an ultra-firm sleep experience. The flip side has a 1.5” tack-and-jump stitched layer and it has minimal contouring for a firm feel. On this design, the flatter side creates a neutral spine position that reduces pressure on your circulatory system. This encourages your body to inhale more oxygen while you’re sleeping.

Both the firm and extra firm sides have an optional cooling panel that regulates temperature. This ensures there’s none of those pesky night sweats keeping you awake at night.

This model also comes with a 120-night risk free trial which allows you adequate time to test the comfort and support offered. This is 20 nights more than offered on most other mattresses. There’s also a 10-year warranty on this product.

The following size options are available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split Cal King, Short Full, Short Queen, Olympic Queen, Short King, and three options for RV King.

With so many options available, you’re guaranteed to find the right fit for your body type and your utmost comfort level.

    What do we love it for?
  • Flippable firmness options
  • 120-night trial
  • Variety of sizes to choose from
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Not enough motion isolation
  • Doesn’t contour enough if sleeper has sensitive pressure points
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4886 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.2
5
Best Breathable Foam Mattress

Amerisleep AS1

Features
  • Profile thickness: 10″
  • Firmness: firm
  • Materials: memory foam, HD polyfoam
  • Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
  • Warranty: 20-year limited

More features: open-cell design; Celliant cover; 100-night trial

Rated as Amerisleep’s most popular model, this mattress is affordable and offers all the comfort you’d expect. This mattress, with its memory foam and polyfoam construction, is ideal for stomach and back sleepers.

The firmness on this mattress offers light contouring. Because it’s constructed with fewer cushion layers there will be minimal motion transfer.

8” of Bio-Core Support Foam make up the base of the mattress. This creates a strong, solid foundation that creates a “no-sag” level of comfort.

Covered with a Celliant material, it regulates your mattress temperature. Celliant with its thermo nonreactive properties are a definite plus point to this mattress. The material regulates the temperature of the mattress surface. This means sleepers who suffer from night sweats will now be able to have a comfortable night’s rest.

Being a solid 10” mattress means this model has two layers of memory foam on the edge. This creates a consistently solid feel across the whole mattress. This not only makes the mattress more durable but improves longevity.

Amerisleep offers a 20-year limited warranty and free shipping with all models. A 100-night sleep trial offers a consumer the opportunity to test the mattresses’ comfort and firmness.

This model is also available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King sizes, so you’ll definitely find the right size for you! This mattress will provide you with all the comfort and coziness you’re looking for to give you a restful night’s sleep!

    What are its best features?
  • Celliant cooling material
  • 20-year warranty
  • Affordable
    What could be improved?
  • 2” comfort layer may be too soft for full pressure relief
  • Not enough support for side sleepers
Also Product Ranking:

Things to Consider

Have you figured out that a firm bed is the most suitable for your condition? If yes, the guidelines below ought to put you in the right direction when it comes to purchasing and maintaining a great firm bed.

Who will benefit from a firm mattress

People with back pain

At one point in their lives, around 80 percent of adults develop low back pain, with about 20 percent of them experiencing chronic pain. A firm mattress is the best sleeping surface for people suffering from back pain as it allows for the proper spinal alignment and adequate support. However, it should also conform to your body curves up to a certain extent for you to feel like you’re on a mattress not a piece of wood. Look for medium-firm beds like the GhostBed Mattress Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress to get the necessary support while feeling comfy at the same time.
5 Best Firm Mattresses for Your Health and Comfort

Larger sleepers

Heavier sleepers need the push-back typically provided by a firmer bed to stop them from sinking. Sleeping on a surface that doesn’t support their weight evenly can lead to a sinkhole that probably will strain your spine’s curvature and cause to the premature wear-out of your mattress.

Stomach and back sleepers

We recommend a firm mattress for individuals who primarily sleep on their stomachs or on their backs. Stomach sleepers require the push-back offered by a firm mattress to stop their backs from bending. Also, back sleepers require a firm bed to provide some support to their spine’s natural curve even while relieving the pressure on their hips, heels, and shoulders. Since a firm bed offers equal support to your body’s whole length, both back and stomach sleepers can sleep peacefully and wake up with no pain.

Hot sleepers

Although temperature control is largely about the material of the mattress, a firm bed also tends to be cooler than a softer one. A firm mattress enables the circulation of more air since sleepers don’t sink in as much as they do on a softer bed. Better airflow allows for the dissipation of heat, allowing you to sleep cool.

Children

Generally, kids tend to sleep better when they sleep on firmer surfaces. If you have a kid that is still growing, we recommend that you buy a firm mattress for the proper spinal alignment. You need to understand that kids aren’t capable of regulating the temperature of their body while sleeping, so a firmer bed will help your kid sleep better as it will be cooler.

Benefits of a firm mattress

5 Best Firm Mattresses for Your Health and ComfortOf course, your mattress choice usually winds down to personal needs, but there are some benefits that firm mattresses have over softer ones. The benefits include:

Less sagging

While a comfortable bed allows you to sink in a bit, excessive softness can quickly become sagging. In the event that you sink too deeply into the bed, your spine will not be aligned, and changing position can be difficult. Too much sagging is capable of causing a hammock effect, and that won’t be healthy for your back and can cause you to be walking painfully.

Better air circulation

If you are a hot sleeper naturally or you are in a warm environment, it will be better for you to go for a firm mattress. Due to the fact that you won’t be sinking down into the mattress’s structure, you will get better air circulation, and that will make you cooler. According to research, the sleeping temperature is vital to your sleep’s quality and running excessively hot can cause insomnia.

Optimum edge support

A firmer mattress has better edge support than a softer bed, and that’s a benefit to people who sleep close to the side. If you have a soft mattress and you like sleeping on the side, you can be sent tumbling to the ground.

A firm mattress provides enough edge support for when you sit on the side to put on shoes, relax, fold laundry, and more. Softer beds, on the other hand, don’t provide this benefit.

More suitable for sex

Mattresses aren’t made for sleeping only, of course. A firmer mattress is typically more reactive and has superior bounce during sex. A soft mattress that lets you sink into it too deeply is capable of inhibiting sexual activities. The fact that a firm mattress offers a lot of edge support is also better for sexual activities. Usually, firmer beds are tougher, which is a plus as well.

Features to consider while choosing a firm mattress

5 Best Firm Mattresses for Your Health and ComfortThere are specific features you need to consider when buying a firm mattress, especially if you’re looking to buy a model that will serve you for many years. Below are some of the most important features to look out for during your shopping.

Profile thickness

Nowadays, a mattress can be somewhere in the range of six to twenty inches when it comes to thickness. A mattress’s thickness is capable of affecting your sleeping experience. For one, larger individuals tend needing thicker beds to hold up their bodies in order to reduce sagging. Furthermore, thick mattresses usually require unique sheets with very deep pockets, which you might have to spend more money on.

Materials used

5 Best Firm Mattresses for Your Health and ComfortIt is vital to consider the material from which the mattress is made when shopping for a mattress. There are varieties of commonly utilized materials for mattresses, which include steel coils (Zinus Sleep Master By iCoil 10″ Support Plus Spring Mattress), latex (Voila Box Luxury Hybrid Coil Spring Latex Mattress), and foam (Ashley Furniture 10 Inch Chime Express Memory Foam Mattress), all of which come with their respective upsides and downsides. For example, while a lot of individuals like the way foam conforms to the shape of your body, it can get uneasily warm during the night. On the other hand, coils are better when it comes to keeping your body cool, but you are more likely to be disturbed by the movement of your partner.

Heat retention

You also need to consider whether you have a tendency to get cold or hot at night when shopping for the right firm bed. Some materials like memory foam have better heat retention, while others such as gel memory foam and latex have better temperature regulation. So your eventual choice will always wind down to what works for you.

Warranty

Buying anything nowadays without a warranty isn’t an act of bravery – it’s an act of carelessness. If the manufacturers aren’t confident enough in their products, why should anyone risk their money and purchase such products? It’s not worth it. Before buying a firm mattress, make sure it is backed by a good warranty term. With a 25-year warranty, the Brentwood Home Cypress Mattress has the longest warranty period on our list.

Extra features

There are also some extra features you need to consider, apart from the ones we already mentioned. Some of the additional features you should consider are the cover feature, bed’s packaging, and more.

FAQ

I’m a side sleeper. Will a firm mattress feel comfortable?

A firm mattress isn’t for you if you are a side sleeper. Side sleepers often discover that a firm bed doesn’t adequately yield to their hips and shoulders to relieve the pressure on those areas. Of course, the outcome is a restless night and a pain-filled morning. The best mattress for side sleepers would be soft to medium firm.

Do firm mattresses transfer motion more than plush ones?

No, plush mattresses transfer motion more than firm mattresses. Firm mattresses usually distribute weight evenly, so there is usually decent motion isolation.

Which model is the best one for an overweight person?

With its triple edge side-wall support and the 768-count five-zone pocket coil technology incorporated, the Voila Box Luxury Hybrid Spring Latex is definitely the best model for an overweight person.

Our verdict

It’s not easy to find a perfect mattress that combines support and adequate level of comfort, which is probably why buyers can’t get enough of the GhostBed Mattress 11 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress. It does its job superbly when it comes to spinal alignment, so no wonder this mattress is our pick for the best firm mattress right now. It also conforms to your body curves to a proper level, without the excessive sinkage, which makes it great for back sleepers and heavy people.

The next product is the unique Voila Box Luxury Hybrid Coil Spring Latex Mattress, which with its triple edge side-wall support and the 768-count five-zone pocket coil technology incorporated, is perfect for overweight individuals or people battling with obesity. This model deservingly takes our second spot.

Costing under 500 dollars, it may come as a surprise to some people that the Brentwood Home Cypress Mattress is our third pick, but you wouldn’t be any surprised if you’ve ever come across this model. Being nine inches thick, this bed is definitely thick enough, but that’s not all. Thanks to its contouring and supportive abilities, it also helps healthily align your spine.

9,9
Total Score
Helix Dawn - Editor’s Choice
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